The United States will shift the processing of immigration visas for Cuban nationals from Colombia to Guyana starting April 1, the State Department announced. Immigrant visa applications and interviews with Cuban citizens will be conducted and processed at the United States Embassy in Georgetown, Guyana.
Cuba Vice President Miguel Diaz-Canel, tipped to succeed President Raul Castro, accused the US yesterday of “resuming a Cold War rhetoric” and of “attacking” the Cuban revolution. Diaz-Canel spoke to state television after casting his vote in elections for a parliament that will choose Castro’s successor on April 19.
Cuba has not provided a detailed breakdown of key economic activity in its annual statistical abstract for the first time this century, leaving would-be investors more in the dark than usual about the cenrtralized-run economy.
The Cuban parliament enacted a proposal that extends Raúl Castro’s term from the original February 24 deadline. The Council of the State underscored that the extension was based on the “exceptional situation” Cuba finds itself in due to costly damages Hurricane Irma inflicted on the island last September.
Venezuela has pulled out of a partnership with Cuba in its Cienfuegos oil refinery and the Caribbean island has taken full ownership of the plant, Cuban state media said. Venezuela is grappling with an economic crisis that already forced it to slash cheap oil shipments to Cuba, which has had a knock-on effect on the island’s ailing economy.
A row has broken out in Bolivia between the government and army veterans over the 50th anniversary of the death of the Cuban revolutionary, Ernesto Che Guevara. The Bolivian government is planning a series of commemorations next week in the presence of foreign guests.
The United States is considering closing its embassy in Cuba after diplomatic staff reported health problems which Washington blames on a sonic attack. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said a decision whether to shut to the mission in Havana was under evaluation.
US President Donald Trump has reversed parts of his predecessor Barack Obama's diplomatic re-engagement with Cuba, tightening rules on Americans travelling there and restricting US companies dealing with enterprises controlled by the island nation's military.
The Cuban government's traditional May Day parade Monday is the last to be overseen by President Raul Castro, and the first without his late brother and revolutionary predecessor Fidel.
Norwegian Sky will sail 33 roundtrip cruises from Miami to Cuba in 2018, with 32 voyages featuring an overnight call in the capital city of Havana as well as a call on Great Stirrup Cay, Norwegian’s private island in the Bahamas.